June Fix It by Emma Ray Garrett The kids are out of school and the heat is getting oppressive. With the cost of everything rising, you're sure to wince every time you hear that a/c kick on. So, in an effort to save you money and sweat, LOL, this month here are some small items you can handle yourself to keep the heat and stress low in your home!

First off, remember back in December when I talked about weatherizing your home? Finding all those cracks and crevices the cold air was sneaking in through and blocking them up? Same thing for the summer. Caulk, weather stripping, and insulation aren't just for the bath or the attic. Go around the house, find those spots were that annoying, hot summer air is leaking inside, and seal them off. This will make it easier for your air conditioner to keep the temperature moderated without working overtime. Another point I mentioned over the winter was the thermostat. Hey, we all love to walk inside and be hit by a blast of cool air! However, setting the a/c lower than seventy-five means a lot more money out of your pocket to keep that cool interior. If you live in an even hotter climate, with high humidity, consider 78 or 80 for your temperature setting on the thermostat. The less work the a/c has to do over the summer, the less money you'll spend to stay cool.

If you don't have an a/c, have no fear. There are tons of great fans out now that work better than the old box-window fan, and are roughly the same price. Placing several smaller static fans around large rooms and in windows will really make life in an un-air-conditioned home much more pleasant. If you opt for a window unit, be sure to pair it with a fan or two. That way the fans can draw the cooled air in the air-conditioned room out to the rest of the house. I suggest window a/c's in the second floor of a home, rather than the first. Since heat rises, and cool sinks, putting those units in the upstairs and using fans to pull the cool air down will make the most of what you have.

In addition, you can also make a small investment into light/sun blocking window coverings. Everything from curtains to blinds come in light blocking materials. Keeping the sunlight out means preventing those hot rays from warming up the house.

Finally, never underestimate the benefits of a midday cool shower or bath. It will refresh you, and anyone else including your pets, LOL, and it's close to free! My cats aren't keen on getting wet, LOL, so I use a small water gun for them. They might not like the spritzer, but they sure do enjoy the cooling effect the evaporating water creates!